Reversible chair with a reversible cushion cover

ABSTRACT

The chair has seat and back cushions with reversible covers, and reversible upholstered front, back, and side panels. By reversing the covers and the panels, the decorum of the chair can be completely changed. The reversible covers have inner and outer layers of upholstery material with a layer of padding in between. The cover has two seams with the marginal edges disposed between the inner and outer layers. The method of making the cover includes placing side panels between two larger panels of a length to extend around the cushion, placing the layer of padding in overlying relationship, sewing through the stack along three sides of the side panels, and transposing the surfaces of the larger panels.

United States Patent Putnam [54] REVERSIBLE CHAIR WITH A REVERSIBLE CUSHION COVER [72] Inventor: Monroe P. Putnam, Rural Route 2, Aurora, Ind. 47001 [22] Filed: Aug. 31, 1970 [211 App]. No.: 68,367

[52] US. Cl. ..297/223, 297/227, 297/218, 5/339 [51] Int. Cl ..A47c 31/10 [58] Field of Search ..297/218, 219, 223, 283, 226, 297/227, 422, 463; 5/339, 337

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,964,242 6/1934 Behrle ..297/223 2,086,640 7/1937 Reynolds ..297/218 2,145,669 1/1939 Thompson ..5/339 X 2,468,587 4/ 1949 Chase ..297/223 2,612,213 9/1952 Bott ..297/218 X 2,842,189 7/1958 Gratt ..297/223 X 3,148,389 9/1964 Lustig ..5/337 [451 Oct. 3, 1972 Primary Examiner-Francis K. Zugel Attomey-McCanna, Morsbach, Pillote & Muir ABSTRACT The chair has seat and back cushions with reversible covers, and reversible upholstered front, back, and side panels. By reversing the covers and the panels, the decorum of the chair can be completely changed. The reversible covers have inner and outer layers of upholstery material with a layer of padding in between. The cover has two seams with the marginal edges disposed between the inner and outer layers. The method of making the cover includes placing side panels between two larger panels of a length to extend around the cushion, placing the layer of padding in overlying relationship, sewing through the stack along three sides of the side panels, and transposing the surfaces of the larger panels.

11 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures REVERSIBLE CHAIR WITH A REVERSIBLE CUSHION COVER BACKGROUND The invention pertains to chairs, cushion covers, and the like, and more particularly to upholstered chairs and to removable cushion covers.

The term chair as used herein, is applied to articles of seating furniture having a seat, back, and legs or other substructure. Many chairs are upholstered, that is, they include material used to cushion and cover at least a portion thereof. While upholstered chairs are usually fine articles of furniture, the upholstery material eventually wears and requires replacement. Once the upholstery cover is selected, it is not usually possible to change the decor of the chair short of reupholstering, applying a slip cover, or the like. Additionally, with some fabrics, cleaning may be a problem. One solution to these defiiciencies is shown in my prior U. S. Pat. 3,490,810, issued Jan. 20, 1970.

SUMMARY- cordance with the foregoing, in which the cushion covers and side panels have inner and outer layers of cover material.

) Another object of this invention is to provide a reversible cushion cover having inner and outer layers of cover material made up of panels sewn together in a unique manner so that no marginal edges are exposed.

Yet another object is to provide a reversible cushion cover, in accordance with the foregoing object, and having a layer of padding between the layers, and secured in position in a unique manner.

Another object is to provide a reversible cushion cover having inner and outer layers of cover material, in which at least some of the seams extend through all layers of the cover material and yet the marginal edges are hidden.

Still another object is to provide a reversible cushion cover in accordance with the foregoing object, in which a layer of padding material, ultimately disposed between the layers, is located at the outside during the sewing operation and is attached by the same seams that extend through all layers of the cover material.

These, and other objects and advantages of the present invention, will become apparent as the same becomes better understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the framing of the chair in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective 'view of the side panels showing the edges of the layers in cross-section and in exaggerated thickness;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the back side of half the side panel as would be seen from line 4-4 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through the right arm of the chair as taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1, and on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the various upholstery panels and the layer of padding preparatory to the assembly operation and showing the layers in exaggerated thickness;

FIGS. 7, 7A and 7B are generally diagrammatic views illustrating the steps of the method of making the cushion cover;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view through a cushion having the reversible cover thereon and taken generally along line 88 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 9 is a view partly elevational and partly crosssectional taken generally along line 9-9 of FIG. 8, and on a larger scale; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a comer of the removable cover and showing the various layers in exaggerated thickness.

DESCRIPTION Reference is now made more particularly to the drawings which illustrate the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention and wherein similar reference characters indicate the same parts throughout the several views.

One form of the article of seating furniture, hereinafter called the chair, is shown in the perspective views of FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown, the chair has a generally rigid frame structure including front legs 10 and rear legs 11, with the legs at each side of the chair being connected by upper and lower horizontal members 12 and 13, respectively. The rear legs 11 are similarly connected by upper and lower horizontal members 14 and 15, respectively. The forward legs are interconnected by a lower horizontal member 16. Webbing 18 extends between the lower members 15 and 16 to provide a seat support portion of the frame. Other webbing 19 extends between members 14 and 15 to provide a back support portion of the frame. In lieu of the webbing, springs, burlap or other standard seating materials can be used. Although not essential, an additional member 20 is conveniently provided at the top of the rear legs 11 to provide support for the top side of the back cushion.

Removable and reversible padded side panels, generally designated 30, are provided at either side of the chair (see FIG. 1) While the embodiment will be described as a side panel, the principle is identical, and the structure similar, for a padded panel 31 at the front of the chair and also for a padded panel at the back of the chair generally enclosing the area of the webbing 19. Referring now to FIGSfS-S, one side of the panel 30 is covered with one fabric 32 which may hereafter be called the outer layer. The sides and ends are folded inwardly over a layer of padding 35, and the portions of the pad which form the opposite faces of the arm are reinforced as by fiberboard panels 36. As best seen in FIG. 4, the central portion of the panel is not reinforced so that it can be folded upon itself and thus provide the flexible area which extends over member 12 (see FIG. 5). The right end of the outer layer of material 32, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, form a tubular channel through which a rod 13a can pass to anchor the outer end of the panel. The opposite side of the panel is formed by a different layer of material 42, a layer of padding 45, and the similar fiberboard reinforcingv panels 46 (see FIG. 3 or 5). The different layer of material 42 is similarly folded upon itself (see FIG. 3)

. to form a tubular channel. The above-described layers are secured to each other by any convenient means, as by adhesive, to form the reversible panel.

The panel 30 is mounted on the chair by first anchoring the outer end. The rod 13a other passed through the tubular channel and the ends of the rod 13a fit into downwardly inclined slots in legs and 11. The panel is then drawn upwardly along the outer side of the horizontal members 12 and 13 and then downwardly along the inner side as shown in FIG. 5. The inner edge is held in position between the seat cushion and the horizontal member 13. With this arrangement, the reversible panel 30 can readily be applied to the arms and a similar one applied to the back and a smaller one to the front; As seen in FIG. 2, a rod a is provided for anchoring such a panel for the back. The reversible panel can be readily removed and reversed so that the other layer is disposed outermost.

Panels 56, 56' are also attached in another single sewing operation. The operation is achieved by positioning thetwo first panels in overlying relationship with the surfaces to be exposed facing each other and with the layer of padding 51 on top (see FIG. 6). The side panels 55, 55 are interposed between the two first panels and I, with their surfaces to be exposed facing the adjacent first panel. In other words, the side panels 55, 55' have layers are then stitched together along a seam line Sla The seat and back cushions may be generally identical and are herein both indicated by the numeral 50. It is to be understood that the description of the seat cushion can be applied to the back cushion and that the terminology of a top, bottom, and front, rear and side edges is for descriptive purposes only.

The seat and back cushions 50 are also provided with reversible covers shown in cross-section in FIGS. 8-10. The cushion 50 includes a layer of cushion material 52 constructed in any manner well known in the art. For example, cushion material 52 may be foam rubber, polyurethane foam, or a traditional spring unit. The cover includes an outer layer, an inner layer, and preferably a layer of padding 51 therebetween. The layer of padding 51 may be made of polyester fiber or other resilient padding material. The outer layer includes a first panel 54 which extends from the back side of the cushion, across the top front and bottom as best seen in FIG. 8. The outer layer also includes side panels 55 and 56 at opposite sides of the cushion. The inner layer includes similar panels indicated by the same numerals followed by the postscript prime The cover member is closed at the rear side as by a zipper 58 so that it can be readily removed from the cushion material 52, reversed, and repositioned with the'inner cover layer at the outside. In this manner, the cushions are reversible as well as the aforementioned panels. In the manner described above, the inner and outer layers may be of the same material so that the effective life of the upholstery can be doubled, or different materials or colors can be utilized so that the decor can by quickly and easily changed. y

The reversible cover is formed in a particularly unique manner diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 7, 7A and 7B. As previously indicated, first panels 54 and 54' form a front, top, bottom and rear wall. The side panels 55, 55' and 56, 56' are located at either side of the cushion. The cushion is made by sewing the first panels 54, 54', the layer of padding 51, and the side panels 55, 55' together in a single sewing operation.

shown in FIG. 7 until the end of the panels 55, 55' is reached. After this the layers are turned as indicated by the arrow A until the pieces have the relative position shown in FIG. 7A. In other words, the side panels 55,

55' are reoriented until their shorter end edges are at zone Y. The seam line is extended as indicated at Slb and the layers are then turned again as indicated by the arrow A1 until the layers are in the relative position shown in FIG. 7B. In other words, the side panels 55, 55' are again reoriented until their other longitudinal edges are at zone Z. The seam line is then extended as indicated at 82a to the end of the side panels. A similar operation is performed as indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 7 and the seam lines 82a and 82a in FIG. 9.

At that time, all seam lines are exposed outwardly. The first panels 54 and 54' then have their surfaces transposed by pulling the first panels through itself to dispose all outersurfaces (surfaces to be exposed) at opposite sides of the reversible cover. As a result, the marginal edges of the panel are located wholly between the inner and outer layers of the removable cover. The padding 51 is also disposed between the layers. The padding, by being included in this manner serves to hide any wrinkles in whichever first panel is at the inside and also serves to hide the slight ridge formed by the two seam lines. In this manner, a smooth, attractive cover results no matter which surface is exposed. 7

It is now deemed obvious that the present invention provides a truly reversible chair by which the life of the upholstery material is extended and in which the decor may be readily changed, if desired. It is also deemed obvious that this is achieved without any significant increase in price in the original commodity. The removable and reversible cushion cover is formed with a single seamat each side passing through multiple panels, and the same is completely hidden. The hidden seam is achieved by the unique manner in which the reversible cushion cover is formed.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has herein been illustrated and described, this has been done by way of illustration and not limitation, and the invention should not be limited except as required by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is 1. In a chair including a frame structure having a seat support and a back support, the improvement comprising: v

a cushion on the frame structure and having top and bottom sides; front, rear and side edges; and including a layer of cushion material; a first sheet of upholstery material overlying the cushion material and comprising a first panel at the top, bottom and front edge, and second and third panels at the side edges; a second sheet of upholstery material comprising first, second and third panels overlying the respective first, second and third panels of the first sheet; said first and second panels of the first sheet of upholstery material and said first and second panels of the second sheet of upholstery material being joined along a first seam line passing through the first and second panels of the first sheet and the first and second panels of the second sheet with the first seam line and the marginal edges of said first and second panels of said first and second sheets located between the two sheets of upholstery material; said first and third panels of the first sheet of upholstery material and said first and third panels of the second sheet of upholstery material being joined along a second seam line passing through the first and third panels of the first sheet and the first and third panels of the second sheet with the second seam line and the marginal edges of said first and third panels of said first and second sheets also located between the two sheets of upholstery material; and the two sheets of upholstery material being removable from the layer of cushion material and the sheets reversed so that the first sheet is exposed and the second sheet is adjacent the layer of cushion material.

2. The combination of claim 1 including fastening means at the rear side of the cushion for joining the first and second sheets of upholstery material and for holding together the edges of the first panels thereof.

3. The combination of claim 1 including a layer of padding material between the first panels and joined to said first and second seam lines.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the cushion is a seat cushion member and including a back cushion member similarly constructed with reversible sheets of upholstery material.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the frame structure includes left and right side supports each having an arm frame member at the top thereof; and including left and right reversible panels each having inner and outer layers of upholstery material extending from an outer end at a selected point at the bottom of the seat cushion, over the arm frame member, to an inner end at a point at the side of the seat cushion; means for holding the outer end of each reversible panel in position; and the reversible panels being removable and reversible to expose the inner layer of upholstery material.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the frame structure includes front and rear upright members at each side, the means for holding the outer end of the panel includes a rod extending between the front and rear uprights and means for holding each end of the rod, and the reversible panels each have means at their outer ends for receiving the rod.

7. In a chair including a frame structure having front and rear uprights at each side, a seat support disposed between the uprights, a back support, a seat cushion on the seat support, and a back cushion on the back support, the improvement comprising:

an arm frame member extending between the uprights at each side of the frame;

reversible upholstered panel at each side of the chair and including inner and outer layers of upholstery material extending from an outer end adjacent the bottom of the seat cushion, over the arm frame member, to an inner end at the side of the seat cushion; reinforcing means between the inner and outer layers between the arm frame member and the outer end, and also between the arm frame member and the inner end, for stiffening the panel; said reinforcing means leaving the portion of the reversible panel at the arm frame member flexible;

means for holding the outer end of each reversible panel in position; and

the reversible panels being removable from the frame structure and manually reversed to reverse the positions of the inner and outer layers to expose the inner layer of upholstery material.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the seat and back cushions each include: a layer of cushion material, and a removable reversible cover including inner and outer layers of upholstery material, the cover being removable from the cushion material and reversible to expose the inner layer of upholstery material.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein the cushions each have top and bottom sides, and front, rear and side edges; and the first and second layers of upholstery material each includes a first panel at the top, bottom and front edge, and second and third panels at the opposite side edges; said first panels of both layers being joined to the second panels along a first seam line passing through all four panels with the marginal edges located between the sheets of upholstery material; and the first panels being similarly joined to the third panels.

10. A removable and reversible cover for cushions and the like comprising: first and second overlying layers of material; the first layer having a first panel overlying the top, bottom and front sides of the cushion, and second and third panels at opposite ends of the cushion; the second layer having a first panel, and second and third panels overlying the respective first, second and third panels of the first layer; the first and second panels of the first layer and the first and second panels of the second layer being joined together along a first seam line passing through the first and second panels of the first layer and the first and second panels of the second layer with the first seam line and the marginal edges of the first and second panels of the first and second layers being located between the two layers of material; the first and third panels of the first layer and the first and second panels of the second layer being joined together along a second seam line passing through the first and third panels of the first layer and the first and third panels of the second layer with the second seam line and the marginal edges also being located between the two layers of material; and the two layers of material being reversible so that either the first or the second layer may be exposed and the other layer disposed adjacent the cushion.

11. A removable and reversible cover for cushions and the like as set forth in claim 10 including a layer of padding material between the first panels and joined to said first and second seam lines.

, :r t a: i: 

1. In a chair including a frame structure having a seat support and a back support, the improvement comprising: a cushion on the frame structure and having top and bottom sides; front, rear and side edges; and including a layer of cushion material; a first sheet of upholstery material overlying the cushion material and comprising a first panel at the top, bottom and front edge, and second and third panels at the side edges; a second sheet of upholstery material comprising first, second and third panels overlying the respective first, second and third panels of the first sheet; said first and second panels of the first sheet of upholstery material and said first and second panels of the second sheet of upholstery material being joined along a first seam line passing through the first and second panels of the first sheet and the first and second panels of the second sheet with the first seam line and the marginal edges of said first and second panels of said first and second sheets located between the two sheets of upholstery material; said first and third panels of the first sheet of upholstery material and said first and third panels of the second sheet of upholstery material being joined along a second seam line passing through the first and third panels of the first sheet and the first and third panels of the second sheet with the second seam line and the marginal edges of said first and third panels of said first and second sheets also located between the two sheets of upholstery material; and the two sheets of upholstery material being removable from the layer of cushion material and the sheets reversed so that the first sheet is exposed and the second sheet is adjacent the layer of cushion material.
 2. The combination of claim 1 including fastening means at the rear side of the cushion for joining the first and second sheets of upholstery material and for holding together the edges of the first panels thereof.
 3. The combination of claim 1 including a layer of padding material between the first panels and joined to said first and second seam lines.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the cushion is a seat cushion member and including a back cushion member similarly constructed with reversible sheets of upholstery material.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the frame structure includes left and right side supports each having an arm frame member at the top thereof; and including left and right reversible panels each having inner and outer layers of upholstery material extending from an outer end at a selected point at the bottom of the seat cushion, over the arm frame member, to an inner end at a point at the side of the seat cushion; means for holding the outer end of each reversible panel in position; and the reversible panels being removable and reversible to expose the inner layer of upholstery material.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the frame structure includes front and rear upright members at each side, the means for holding the outer end of the panel includes a rod extending between the front and rear uprights and means for holding each end of the rod, and the reversible panels each have means at their outer ends for receiving the rod.
 7. In a chair including a frame structure having front and rear uprights at each side, a seat support disposed between the uprights, a back support, a seat cushion on the seat support, and a back cushion on the back support, the improvement comprising: an arm frame member extending between the uprights at each side of the frame; a reversible upholstered panel at each side of the chair and including inner and outer layers of upholstery material extending from an outer end adjacent the bottom of the seat cushion, over the arm frame member, to an inner end at the side of the seat cushion; reinforcing means between the inner and outer layers between the arm frame member and the outer end, and also between the arm frame member and the inner end, for stiffening the panel; said reinforcing means leaving the portion of the reversible panel at the arm frame member flexible; means for holding the outer end of each reversible panel in position; and the reversible panels being removable from the frame structure and manually reversed to reverse the positions of the inner and outer layers to expose the inner layer of upholstery material.
 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the seat and back cushions each include: a layer of cushion material, and a removable reversible cover including inner and outer layers of upholstery material, the cover being removable from the cushion material and reversible to expose the inner layer of upholstery material.
 9. The combination of claim 8 wherein the cushions each have top and bottom sides, and front, rear and side edges; and the first and second layers of upholstery material each includes a first panel at the top, bottom and front edge, and second and third panels at the opposite side edges; said first panels of both layers being joined to the second panels along a first seam line passing through all four panels with the marginal edges located between the sheets of upholstery material; and the first panels being similarly joined to the third panels.
 10. A removable and reversible cover for cushions and the like comprising: first and second overlying layers of material; the first layer having a first panel overlying the top, bottom and front sides of the cushion, and second and third panels at opposite ends of the cushion; the second layer hAving a first panel, and second and third panels overlying the respective first, second and third panels of the first layer; the first and second panels of the first layer and the first and second panels of the second layer being joined together along a first seam line passing through the first and second panels of the first layer and the first and second panels of the second layer with the first seam line and the marginal edges of the first and second panels of the first and second layers being located between the two layers of material; the first and third panels of the first layer and the first and second panels of the second layer being joined together along a second seam line passing through the first and third panels of the first layer and the first and third panels of the second layer with the second seam line and the marginal edges also being located between the two layers of material; and the two layers of material being reversible so that either the first or the second layer may be exposed and the other layer disposed adjacent the cushion.
 11. A removable and reversible cover for cushions and the like as set forth in claim 10 including a layer of padding material between the first panels and joined to said first and second seam lines. 